Upper neck treatment after pcs?
 

Hi all,


With now being almost 10 months PCS I still have lingering symptoms. Which I believe some are caused by my upper neck. My docs want me to see a chiropractor and get it adjusted, but I'm not sure if I'm quite ready for that, as it can be dangerous.

I don't know much about chiros, but all I know is that some people live by them and some people wouldn't go near them. Just wondering if there were any other good treatments for my upper neck?

My docs say I injured it somewhere during or after my initial injury. I just moved it or jerked it the wrong way. My symptom that they believe is coming from the neck is this dreamy feeling/my touch is numb. It basically feels like when I'm touching something I'm not feeling it totally I'm only feeling it 50%.


So any other treatments?
Would love to hear from you guys
Sam

Chiro is not dangerous. If it was, they would have high malpractice insurance premiums. Their malpractice insurance is much less than an MD's.

An upper cervical chiro would be a good start. There are some links at the bottom of the first page of the vitamins sticky. NUCCA and Atlas Orthagonal are listed. One of the moderators also has a link upcspine or something like that.

A good physical therapist can help with gentle traction and mobilization. But, you have to find the one that works well with your neck. All therapists are not the same. I've seen 18 different chiros over 32 years. only 4 were good with my spine. I've seen a dozen PT's. Only 2 were any good.

Neck treatment is going to be no better than your sleeping posture will allow.

I'm 5 months into my PCS and have been debating the role of my neck in my symptoms as well. The nature of my injury (sprung up into dining table light from a leaning-forward position) makes me think that I may have messed my neck up. I have been doing some research and found that Atlas Orthogonal might be the best to try. It's not invasive like normal chiropractic work, no twisting or cracking, just gentle adjustments. I've been to a normal chiropractor that was recommended to me but didn't see any benefits after 2 sessions so I don't think I'm going back. I'll update how my Atlas Orthogonal session goes.

I thought I might get some benefit from neck treatment as well.
I've been seeing a nucca chiro for a little over a month and while my back and neck do feel better and my posture is better, it didn't do anything for my dreamy/foggy feeling.

Chiro will not change foggy/dreamy symptoms. It can help with inflammation, muscle spasm and headaches. With these symptoms reduced, stress can be lowered and slowly, some of the other symptoms can resolve. Upper neck inflammation can reduce blood flow to the brain, especially during sleep, resulting in a lack of good sleep that is needed for recovery.

Mark,

While I may be wrong but the upper neck has something to do with our touch sensation in our body. At least, I discussed with my Doctor and he said that "c2" or something is your touch. And thats where my neck was damaged? Once again I'm not sure.

Or maybe he was talking about the nerves in my neck? I'm not sure, forget how my doc explained it too me. But what I can remember he said that getting my neck fixed could really help with the touch/numbness

Not sure if this is of help but here is a nerve 'map' from the spine.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post1083012-2.html

Odd, I don't see anything that has to do with numbness. Was he maybe talking about the nerves in my neck ?

Inflammation in the upper neck can cause radiculopathy by constraining blood flow to the nerves or restricting nerve signals. This can cause numbness. Inflammation can also cause restricted blood flow to the brain stem resulting in numbness or weak nerve response because the nerve processing center is not functioning at full capacity. This can also manifest as autonomic disregulation.

There are nerve conduction tests (EMG Electromyography, ENG Electroneurography) that test nerve signals up the arms and legs. But, the tests to measure peripheral nerve signals to the brain are less common. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) can measure the brain's response to peripheral sensations like touch. An SEP when you are most symptomatic would be interesting. But, trying to resolve upper neck inflammation issues would be a good start.

So I think your spot on to where my numbness is coming from. The way my symptoms feel to the explanation you told me above. So now what can I do to improve my nerve reaction time and remove my inflammation?

Note: Speaking of inflammation, my neck was very puffy a couple weeks ago. Not sure why, this could be a sign that it has inflammation ?

The inflammation would be more internal that external. The reaction time will improve when you find the source of the inflammation. Upper cervical chiro or a good Physical Therapist or such should be able to help. But, you will need to be disciplined with head and neck posture for weeks or months as your neck heals. Therapy alone will not solve your injury. You need to be involved.

Mark, I truely truely thank you. Will definitely tell this information I have learned to my doc! I believe this makes perfect sense, and I don't think he thought of inflammation, but thought it was more anxiety related. I will be going to a chiro and trying my hardest to get this healed!

Thanks so much, without this help I may have never known what to do.
Sam

Mark, or to anyone else that can answer this


What's the difference between chrios? I've heard of nuunca chirps, upper cervical chrios, and regular chiros? I think I'm going to a regular one. Not sure

NUCCA? that is the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association
http://www.nucca.org/
http://www.nucca.org/faq.php#faq03

regular /general chiros don't usually have the extra studying and certification to do the upper cervical treatment.

If your regular chiro does the 'twist the head and pop the neck' treatment, it is often too aggressive for the subtle C-1 and C-2 injury common to concussions. Some chiros have a gentler and more targeted treatment.

Hi mark!

Believe it or not I got my neck adjusted today. I went for a consultation to just talk to him and he re assured me and I ended up getting it adjusted. He's a regular chiro and he said he can fix the issue, But it will take a couple visits.

For what he did so far it was very subtle and nothing scary. It was a very minor adjustment and didint bother me at all.

He was extremely extremely kind and seems like a great chiro.



Let me know what you think
Sam

my chiro has helped alot with a lot of the headaches i really suggest anyone to give one a shot, it has helped a lot.

I am thinking seriously of seeing one, just don't know who or were to start. Looks as if Jo Mar's post has a good starting place.

I think that all the tingling, stiffness, spasms and strange electrical current sort of feelings might be chiro related. I think if I could eliminate some of that the anxiety might subside greatly too.

Bud

Bud, I looked at Yuba City area chiros. I think that is where you said you are. I'm not impressed with what's available. There is a NUCCA chiro in Sacramento. Price chiro in Yuba may be OK. If you find one you want me to check out, PM his name to me.

Mark,


So do you think the regular chiro can fix my numbness? You have chatted many times with me before about the symptom, so I'm sure you remember what I'm talking about.

he basically adjusted what he saw was not right so far. He adjusted my upper neck, mid back, and lower back.


He said that within a few visits, he could try to get to the bottom of it and fix it.

He may be able to help but you should also be icing your neck after an adjustment. I'm concerned about summer camp activities if you still have numbness. Be very careful.

Cervical spine The upper spinal area, consisting of seven vertebrae, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7.

http://www.consumersresearchcncl.org...lossary.html#A

This web page has the terminology...

My regular chiro said the same thing but I didn't see any improvements at all after 2 sessions and stopped going. Also, I didn't like the whole twist and crack approach. Perhaps give it a couple more sessions but if you don't see any improvements I'd suggest you switch to a NUCCA or Atlas orthogonal chiro.